Reverbs

Tim McCutchen · Post by **Tim McCutchen** » 9 Sep 2002 5:05 pm

Does anyone out there use a Alesis reverb unit? I'm trying to find a good reverb (I don't like the reverb on my Evans). There is a friend of a friend that has one but I've never heard one live. Is it anywhere near the quality of a Lexicon MPX-100?
Thanks,
Tim

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'01 Zumsteel D-10 8&9
Evans Amp

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 9 Sep 2002 6:30 pm

Tim, I have been using the Alesis Nanoverb for about 2 years. It's a 1/3 space rack mount so you could put two more units along side. It is very clean and I always use it instead of the spring verb in my Session 500. I am looking at another amp and will use it there also. You can find these units on EBay pretty cheap. I think I bought mine new from ZZounds.com. I bought Alesis Nanopiano and Nanobass and they are all first class.

LARRY COLE · Post by **LARRY COLE** » 9 Sep 2002 10:16 pm

I use an Alesis Midiverb 4. it's a little more coplicated than the Midiverb 3 but it sounds better. I have seen post's that claim they are noisy but if you run them between the pre amp and power amp like a rack unit is supposed to be and set the input and output right they are very quiet. If you put a line level unit before the preamp, the pre amp amplifies the noise from the unit. My system is very quiet wheather I use it with my Nashville 400 (in the pre amp out/power amp in) or Tubeworks preamp.

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LC. WILLIAMS U12, SHO-BUD PRO1,CARVIN TL60

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 10 Sep 2002 12:19 am

I have the Alesis reverb unit. No, it's sound is not in the Lexicon MPX-100 class.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 10 Sep 2002 6:36 am

For me, it's a sound vs. convenience issue. I have and have been using an Alesis Nanoverb lately.

No, it doesn't have the sound of an MPX100. But using the Lex means I have to carry a rack around, and I'm trying to simplify my onstage gear. The Nanoverb fits nicely in my Steelrider seat, and therein lies the convenience. It simply sits on top of the amp I'm using, either Evans or Peavey.

Recently I've been using the delay of the Nanoverb and the amp spring reverb in combination. Nice.

I would also recommend, though it wasn't part of the question, that you use the effects loop of your amp, should you have one.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Buck Dilly · Post by **Buck Dilly** » 10 Sep 2002 10:16 am

Electroharmonix has a floor unit that is a good deal for around $100. I have a quadverb Alesis, and have had others. I am happy with springs, despite their obvious drawbacks.

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 10 Sep 2002 12:14 pm

Wait a minute foks... This is really dependent on which Alesis unit you are talking about. I have two Alesis Q2 rack mount units. These listed at around a grand when new. This box beats the low end Lexicons units every way you can think of. I have both Lexicon and Alesis and can assure you that the Q2 rack effect unit is excellent. These can be had on the used market pretty cheaply at this point.

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 10 Sep 2002 12:27 pm

I bought a Lexicon LXP-1 off of E-bay earlier this summer (approx $150), and I think it's a great reverb unit.
Small enought to fit in a pac-a-seat, all adjustments are made by knobs (no programming), and lush 'verbs!

I have also used a Boss RV-3 for reverb or reverb+delay over the last few years to eliminate the rack.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 10 Sep 2002 2:23 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Lexicon LXP-1 off of E-bay earlier this summer (approx $150), and I think it's a great reverb unit.
Small enought to fit in a pac-a-seat, all adjustments are made by knobs (no programming), <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

A little more on LXP-1. This was a very good value when new (1989) but this sort of gear has come a long way since then. I liked the sound of the delay and the fact that the two knobs do just what you need (delay time and feedback) but it won't do delay and reverb at the same time.

The reliability is poor. I have had two units fail, and one repaired at Lexicon ($135) and then that one failed again in the same way.

Also they are a bit too big for any Pac-A-Seat that I know of.

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 10 Sep 2002 4:19 pm

Hey Earnest,
I took one of the dividers out of my pack-a-seat (they slide out on the one I have), so it fits fine.
I've only taken it to a few local gigs, no probs so far, but thanks for the heads up.
I must say that the "pre-delay" (adjustable dead air between the time you pick the note and when the reverb comes on) gives me enough of an illusion of delay that I don't miss the official "delay" effect itself.
On the other hand, as many may have noticed, I had the RV-3 with me at the convention (due to it's proven indestructo track record and, well... I likes my knobs!

).

FWIW... http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/Lexicon/LXP_1-01.html
[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 10 September 2002 at 05:32 PM.]

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 10 Sep 2002 5:21 pm

On the LXP-1...

Jim Williams at Audio Upgrades in Los Angeles has a mod for the LXP called the "480 Mod" (after the $12,000 Lexicon 480L verb) that is actually pretty amazing. Lowers the noise floor and smooths out the tails. Not exactly a 480, but a huge improvement. I think the mod is $150. I don't have an LXP, but have other units modded by Jim that are outstanding.

By the way, nice seeing y'all in St. L

.

Bob Metzger · Post by **Bob Metzger** » 14 Sep 2002 9:32 am

This Alesis thread kind of morphed into a Lexicon thread, oh well...

My experience with the Alesis Microverb series of reverbs has been good. There are three different units out there (in the 'mini' size or 1/3 space rackmount): The Microverb, The Microverb II and the currently made Nanoverb. I think the Microverb II is the best sounding of the bunch (I have all three) and is very rugged and small. It is good for both steel guitar and electric guitar applications and I keep one in my bag all the time. It is an improvement on the Peavey reverb of their popularly used steel amps (Peavey, are you listening?) and I'm glad I have it when the reverb tank in my Fender amp goes south, which Fender reverb tanks love to do.

Apparently, each of the Microverbs uses a different chip and in A/B comparisons, they don't really sound the same, although a few of the 16 sounds are pretty similar. Someone told me that one of the chip changes was made due to a lawsuit with Lexicon but my buddies at Alesis are either being very tight lipped about it or aren't willing to discuss it due to legal action, so this is unconfirmed.

You can pick up the the first version and the deuce on eBay for a song but the Nanoverb might require a hit song (or at least a B-side).

BTW, this is not the ultimate reverb unit, just a cheap and cheerful alternative that sound pretty good, is small, easy to use and stereo, too!

Do they have B-sides anymore?

Bob M.[This message was edited by Bob Metzger on 15 September 2002 at 01:15 PM.]

Kevin Ruddell · Post by **Kevin Ruddell** » 28 Sep 2002 8:40 pm

I have had a Alesis Nanoverb since 1998 when I bought it new . The plate verbs are fine for what I use it for but there seems to be a serious lack of headroom no matter where it is used that results in about a 25% volume drop at the output stage . Has anyone else had this experience ?

thank you